TMOliver,
I'm not disputing that early planes had their limitations. Matter of fact, I was noticing on my recent flight to Argentina how very quiet the plane was, overall, considering how loud they used to be.

However, what I'm saying is that I would bet that most people would still fly even if the price was up a bit... if that increase meant fewer seats per plane (i.e. more legroom), better food and service.

Rather, now we're wedged in like sardines, made to buy a bag of peanuts if we want to be fed, and expected to be grateful because the flight attendants are there to protect us (not serve us).

And that, dear friend, is why I obsess over ff points, so I can save them for business/first class travel on longer flights. And on the shorter ones I am of the notion that it's okay to drink bloody mary's at $5 a pop. It's noon somewhere!

I also pay for an AMEX Platinum just so I can utilize the club rooms. Silly? To some, yes, but to me, nope!
Rita